Peters Statement on Equal Pay Day: Women Deserve Equal Pay for Equal Work

Press Release

Today, in honor of Equal Pay Day, U.S. Representative Gary Peters called on the House of Representatives to bring the Paycheck Fairness Act up for a vote. Peters is urging action on equal pay arguing that wage disparities between men and women negatively affect Michigan's middle class, costing families thousands in lost income. His statement follows:

Peters said, "Equal Pay Day is an important reminder that women still make only 76 cents on the dollar compared to men. This inequality in pay is simply unacceptable. As the father of two daughters and someone who spent 20 years in business, I know that fighting to make sure men and women earn equal pay for equal work is not only the right thing to do, it makes good business sense.

"The Paycheck Fairness Act will bring us one step closer to equal pay for men and women, and we should pass this bill without delay. Folks in Michigan know that we are stronger when we eliminate discrimination in the workplace, and equal pay is a big part of that fight."

Peters is a cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act and has consistently supported measures to eliminate wage discrimination and support women's rights. In one of his first votes in Congress in 2009, Peters voted for the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a bill that made it easier for workers to seek a legal remedy for lost wages caused by pay discrimination. The bill was signed into law on January 29, 2009.

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